Our rainforest in miniature: 
A new film by local experts on local chalk grassland

Dave Bangs, Tim Andrews, & Paolo Oprandi have made a fantastic film all about the mosses, herbs, invertebrates, reptiles and birds to be found in our Chalk Grassland. They are assisted by some of the leading experts in their field, including Dave Goulson, Alice Parfitt and Neil Hulme. The film contains lovely footage of dancing Adders, jewel like beetles, orchids and fungi. Click on the link below to access and enjoy and please share it far and wide!

Brighton's Big Secret

Made by a team of volunteers in the last few months of 2020, this film takes you on a tour of Downland owned by the people of Brighton and managed in perpetuity by Brighton & Hove City Council. Traversing the Brighton Downs from West to East the film takes in the highs and lows of downland use and management. The film shines a light on the history of the downs and the animals and wildlife that live on it's shrinking chalk grassland.

Accessing the Downs by bus

I, IΑ   Mile Oak, Cockroost Hil, Cockroost Bottom, Mount Zion, New Barn Farm, Path up to Fulking Hill or Devil’s Dyke Farm.    Get off at Chrisdory Road and turn right for a short walk under the bypass tunnel towards the farm.

17  Paythorne Farm  Horsham bus. Holmbush Farm stop at Woodmancote . Walk down Clappers Lane and then the paths either to Fulking or Edburton and along the road at the bottom to Paythorne Farm. About ¾ hour walk to get there. Or walk down from Perching Hill on South Downs Way.

27 Waterhall , Varncombe Hill, Pangdean Bottom.   Get off at Glen Rise Westdean, walk to Millcroft and turn left then left again to cross Mill Rd and go under the by pass to Waterhall. About 15 mins walk.

5, 5A, 5B towards Patcham  Tegdown Hill , Stanmer Park, Heathy Brow and Ewe Bottom, Deep Bottom, Chattri.  Also High Park Farm, Stanmer Park, Piddingworth Plantation,Big Bottom and Plumpton Hill. Vale Ave Patcham, path South of Recreation ground then bridge over bypass cross Braypool Lane and onto Tegdown hill. Or get to bridge by turning left along path at end of Mackie Ave. 

23,25, 50U,28,29 . Waterpit Hill, Balmer Down, Balmer Huff, Buckland Hole, Moustone, Broad Shackles, Plumpton Plane, Ashcombe Bottom, Blackcap.  Under tunnel to Sussex University, turn right, cross road to Mill Street, left up Ridge Lane right hand path ( about a mile) Left hand path goes to St Mary’s Farm and Ditchling Beacon.

46 ( Ditchling Rd), 26 (Cuckmere Way) 50 ( Burstead Close) Hollingbury Hill, Wild Park, 

28, Housedean Farm, Balmer Down, Ashcombe Bottom

28, 84 Falmer Court Farm, Bevendean Downs, Loose Bottom.

49 Bevendean: Nature Reserve, livery stables.
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48 Bevendean: Hogtrough Bottom, Falmer Hill

21,21A Swanborough Drive Race Hill, Sheepcote Valley, East Brighton Golf Course, Red Hill.

2  from stop at Downs Hotel cross road and walk down Old Parish Lane past the school. Ovingdean Downs Wick Bottom, Mount Pleasant , Ovingdean Grange Farm.

27,27C  Saltdean Vale New Barn Farm, Pickers Hill Farm.

2 Downs Hotel walk left up the hill, cross little car park above Bexhill Rd to path.

​21,21A,22,22A, 52  Langley Crescent cross grass to path. Balsdean Valley, Bullock Hill, Castle Hill, New Market Hill, Loose Bottom. ​